As the condition of the world deteriorates midst the terrorism, relativism, secularism and individualism the heavens weep.

In January of 2011 the journey to bring Pioneer Outfitters to the world began. Learning to use a computer as more than a “glorified typewriter” as the Boss-man would say, finding and meeting those who could and would help me to bring my vision and dream of a website to true life, to share with you exactly who and what we are and to battle and defeat my own shyness, fears and introverted personality so that I could be the bridge to connect the world with Pioneer Outfitters.

The joy, happiness and fulfillment that being connected to so many wondrous, talented and beautiful people from all over the world brought to our lives, to my own life, is truly unparalleled. Learning more than I ever imagined being able to learn from those I met through both lessons and by example, being exposed to so much loving compassion and kindness and even finding more of my own sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ and finally having a so-craved-for fellowship with others.

Through the Internet, a way to reach out to others, to be able to help people outside of our tiny world deep in the mountains of Alaska became available to us. A way to touch those who needed something that we have to give, other than our own business offerings was now available to us and we used it happily. Individually and as a team, Pioneer Outfitters could reach out with words, connect with others to offer aid and to become a part of something greater than ourselves; truly serving others.

Life happens, as it tends to and the ups and downs, successes and losses and victories and defeats of others as well as our own were no longer celebrated or mourned alone but shared and with that sharing the joys multiplied and the burdens lifted.

As with so much that is wonderful and promising, there are those out there in the world who only seek to destroy, soil and devastate. The Internet and its power to do such incredible goodness are not exempt from this. Maybe it is even more at risk because of the distance between those of us blessed by the connection of it.

The temptation and lure of selfishness, self-centeredness and basically talking a walk that you no longer walk is always there. The heavens weep for our compassion to and for one another. It is always pulling at you. Do it easier, focus on self, do it faster, don’t get your hands dirty actually putting yourself out in any way and worse? Worse is the fact that lies and scams, spam as we know it, is absolutely everywhere. Who and what can you believe? All it does, to those who do want to serve is confuse and betray, it gives us reasons to build up walls not even we can see through or scale.

As I promised you all, long ago, I keep you in the loop with what is going on with our team in Chisana and at Pioneer Outfitters. This last August, I shared with you a post-called Keeping You In The Loop Of Changes letting you know about some major happenings and decisions that had been made for my own little family. After our Fall Hunting Season came to a close in October we were excited and ready to begin the next big adventure of our lives.

Well, many of you know that things have not worked out quite as planned and we were left homeless and without any way to open my daycare, Tok Tots, as we had planned and prepared to do. We were left with no way to make any money to support ourselves and without the help we were promised to make our home, which was in much worse condition than we were led to believe, livable again.

The Heavens Weep for Our Compassion

Every day I see thousands of posts, status updates, tweets and shares of compassion and giving. Each day I read dozens of these, hearing people talk a good talk about reaching out and having meaningful impact on other people’s lives. Yet, contacting the thousands of connections we have made throughout the years and sharing with them the horrible situation we have found ourselves victim to and asking for their help, pleading for help for my children brought to us less than a dozen responses of support and love, and less than half of that in donations to help replace what was stolen and misappropriated and to allow us to have a place to live.

We have been blessed. We are safe and together and we have some incredible people in our lives. Three other (new) people were brought into our lives because of this twist in fate and they too have made all the difference to our futures and as incredibly grateful for this and those people that we are, this is not the lesson I have learned from this experience.

The Heavens Weep for Our Compassion

The lesson is this: It is much too easy in today’s hurry and go, and much to seductive in today’s earn more, get more and look out for number one. We need to remember that talking about serving, preaching about compassion, giving interviews and writing or reading yet another book about what true leadership really is, is NOT walking the talk. It is not what will make us stronger, better, brighter or happier. It is not what we are meant to do or to become. It is a path that will only lead to more darkness and more and harder times.

No, we are still not able to move into our home. Because we are not living in our home I have still not been able to re-open the daycare. Because I have been unable to open our daycare my children may not have a very merry Christmas and this breaks my heart for them and shames me to my core. However, my children are safe and happy to be together with me, sharing a hotel room and going to school so I have much to be thankful for.

This lesson I believe that I was meant to learn and to experience first hand is also something I am grateful for. Many of us all, most of us probably, would be appalled to see ourselves in such a selfish and self-centered light. Most of us work and pray hard to help each other and ourselves from falling from the righteous path we would choose to walk.

Sometimes the greatest gift we can give each other is the wisdom gained through our own hard experiences and so it is this I am sharing with you today, with the purest intentions and cautions. I wish each of you the merriest and most blessings of Christmastimes, the happiest of holidays and to keep you all safe and warm throughout the winter and chill.

It is wintertime here in Alaska! Everywhere you look, everything is dressed in pristine white and it looks so new and magical. The cold-cold air, the sounds of snowmachines warming up and snow crunching beneath your boots, the white puffs of air as your breath comes through your face-mask and frosted eyelashes weighing each blink.… Continue Reading

Fall Hunting Season is an exciting time for millions of people, from all over the globe. It is a time of the ultimate personal challenge for some. For others it is a time of peace and nature or fulfilling, providing for their families the meat that they will prepare and eat all winter long. No… Continue Reading

Hunting Season is in full swing and you finally just a couple days ago read the first post from us since this spring! There is a reason for that. So many different and new experiences as well as all of the twists and turns that life throws us all are a part of the reason,… Continue Reading

Months! It has been months since I have sat here to share with you what is happening here in Chisana in our lives with Pioneer Outfitters. I have thought about you all so often, and yet my mind is so full of what each today brings, all it seems I can do is hold on… Continue Reading

Over the last week or so we have been sharing pictures and updates on Facebook of the two young Grizzly bears that have been satisfying their curiosity on our property this spring. Last night with the charge of one of the two Grizzly bears convinced us that we had enjoyed their presence long enough and… Continue Reading

The greatest efforts, the most wondrous feats and generous kindnesses of a lifetime only last for those who understand that to make a difference requires that we be real. The greatest gift we can give others, give the world and give ourselves is to be real. It can be pretty scary. It can be downright… Continue Reading

Aren’t you tired of… well, being tired, uninspired and completely unmotivated after your long awaited summer vacation comes to an end? Tired of wanting so deeply, needing that vacation of your dreams? Too many people return home after their own vacations and within days at the most, feel as if they had never even taken… Continue Reading

Sometimes it sure feels as if life is just really hard and the weight of the world rests on your shoulders alone, doesn’t it? Today’s Monday Motivation may offer you the encouragement you need and an answer to the weight in your heart. When we advocate for others, we are standing for them for the… Continue Reading

I have been asked what my plans are for continuing the Stand for the Man in Black fundraiser. Did I consider it a failure? What my next move would be? How is this struggle for survival affecting the direction of both the fundraiser and Pioneer Outfitters? Weather is important to any Alaskan bush pilot, so… Continue Reading

Keep in the loop with Pioneer Outfitters! (Get answers to your questions, know the team and more!)

* indicates required

First Name

Email Address *

I get asked, a lot ... “Who is Alaska Chick?”

Just the girl that jumps into everything with passion and excitement. I “jumped” 20+ years ago and look where I ended up! Sharing our lives and experiences with Alaska Chick’s Blog. Here’s the real me.